MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino trans community now has even more reason to celebrate Transgender Awareness Week: the Philippines officially has its first trans woman flight attendants.

In separate Facebook posts, trans women Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug on Tuesday, November 19, expressed their gratitude to local airline company Cebu Pacific for accepting them as among its new cabin crew members, a groundbreaking development for the country’s trans community.

“History has been made as I’ve now become the very first post-op transgender woman flight attendant in the Philippines,” wrote Labares.

In her now viral post, Labares shared her story of rising to the challenge and overcoming hurdles to turn her dream into a reality.

Labares, who is also a reigning beauty queen, said this latest milestone is her biggest win yet.

"Now I can finally say, this is by far the greatest crown I have ever achieved," she said.

Meanwhile, Vitug equally felt humbled by the “rare opportunity,” narrating her tough journey towards becoming a flight attendant in her Facebook post.

“I feel honored and humbled that I am one of the first trans woman cabin crew dito sa (here in the) Philippines,” Vitug wrote in her Facebook post.

Vitug, who is also a licensed pharmacist, admitted in her viral post that she had doubts about getting accepted, considering how most Filipinos remain prejudiced against trans people like her.

"Lalo na [at] medyo conservative ang bansa natin, aminin natin o hindi, talagang hindi gaanong ka-open ang karamihan sa kagaya ko," she said.

(Especially since our country is conservative, admit it or not, most still refuse to accept people like me.)

The fight continues

While Labares’ and Vitug’s stories are worth celebrating, the fight against transphobic violence remains to be won.

The Transgender Awareness Week, which culminates with Transgender Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, November 20, is observed every year not only to celebrate the transgender identity, but also to commemorate victims of transphobic violence, and to tackle the continuing plight of the trans community. 

Despite ranking as the 10th most LGBTQ-friendly country in the world, the Philippines – the Filipino LBGTQ+ community believes – has yet to become a genuinely gender-inclusive country. Discrimination remains rampant at home, in the workplace, and in public spaces. (READ: 'Tolerated, but not accepted': Filipino LGBTQ+ speak up vs discrimination)

In October 2014, the country decried the horrific killing of trans woman Jennifer Laude, one of the worst cases of transphobic violence in the country. More than 5 years later, justice for Laude remains elusive. (READ: Remembering 'Ganda': The tragedy of Jennifer Laude)

In a more recent incident, trans woman Gretchen Diez was blocked, harassed, and even detained – all for wanting to use the women’s restroom at a Quezon City mall. Diez’s case sparked an uproar on social media, prompting the urgent call for Congress to act on the SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) bill. (READ: #SOGIEEqualityNow: Transgender restroom issue sparks call for passage of SOGIE bill)

Despite the challenges, Vitug remained hopeful that Filipinos would soon accept and celebrate her truth, and those of the members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“This is something new and I hope it will spark a change sa kung paano ang pagtingin ng mga tao sa mga trans woman, na hindi kami i-box or i-stereotype kasi tao din naman kami, capable din kami, normal lang din kami na tao,” Vitug said. 

(This is something new and I hope it would spark a change in how people see trans women, in that we are not confined to the stereotypes, that we are just as human, just as capable, and just as normal.) 

Labares also believed that the Filipino society was slowly opening its doors to gender diversity and inclusivity.

“This means that we have progressed into a more accepting society who has learned to respect and celebrate human individuality and expression,” she said. – Rappler.com

“Ampon ka lang (You’re just adopted)!"

This is how I remember Filipino teleseryes depict being adopted onscreen. Sure, there are some positive stories out there, but for the most part, adoption or being adopted has been given this negative notion in mainstream Filipino media. There may be some truth to it, but it can get borderline ridiculous how not being a biological child can be seen in this light. 

I, for one, can say that this cannot be further from the truth – at least in my case.

For as long as I can recall, I’ve always known that I was adopted by my parents. I may not remember what exact age they told me but I do know that this truth has been ingrained in my memory even as a child, because my parents did not want me to see it as a negative thing. In fact, they want to see it as a blessing – and this is how I still see it to this day. 

My parents already had 3 biological kids when they adopted me. Both of them still wanted more children after my older siblings, but my mom couldn’t bear any more kids due to her prior caesarian operation. When she tells me of this story, she always says how much they’d all prayed for a child to come into their lives. Fortunately enough, there was a newborn baby that could not be properly taken care of by her biological mother and was given up for adoption straight from the hospital. That newborn infant was me. 

My adoptive parents' names appear on my birth certificatn along with my birthday, September 8, 1988, they date they’d chosen for me. My mom was a devout Catholic so it’s no surprise why she chose that date, as well as the name she chose for me, which is Mary. I honestly do not know the real story behind why I was given up for adoption nor what happened to my birth mother, but I guess I never felt the need to really know in the first place. 

I’ve lived such a privileged life – a life that not all adopted children end up experiencing. To say that this is a blessing to me would be an understatement. Since I was a child, my parents and my 3 older siblings have spoiled me rotten and have given me so much love and care that not once did I view being adopted as a bad thing. I may not look exactly like they do, but they looked at me completely as their own — the same goes for my two younger twin siblings, whom my parents had also adopted from the hospital.

I simply never wanted for more nor have I ever felt that there was something missing in my life. I’m guessing this is the very reason why I never felt compelled to search for my birth mother or know more about her (except maybe for how she looks). 

While being adopted was no big deal at home, it can be quite funny how other people react when I tell them I’m adopted. I remember telling my friends even from kindergarten and grade school, and they would always give me this slightly shocked look that they try to rein in. And then I just laugh it out, and they proceed to ask me all sorts of questions, which almost always include my possible heritage given that I have very fair skin, jet-black hair, and smaller eyes. From there, my whole adoption story just becomes a fun guessing game as to whether I’m part Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and so on. But my adoption story means so much more than that. For me, it means owing everything to my parents and my family – a debt that I’m happy to carry with me as long as I live. 

When I think of my parents, there’s this tremendous outpouring of love and gratitude that I feel for them. They gave me life and it’s a life that I never would have had a chance at having had they not chosen to adopt me. I think of that small window of opportunity where I was given up for adoption and they were there ready to take me in. What if they weren’t? What if there was no one who could adopt me? These questions and more I always ask myself as a reminder of how truly blessed I am to have this life I’m living to this day. 

Much like how they don’t want me to see being adopted as a bad thing, I also do not see my “debt” to them in a negative aspect as well. I owe them everything and this is the kind of debt I am proud of having, the kind that drives me to be a better person, the kind that helps me to be kinder to myself when I fall short or make mistakes,and the kind that pushes me to pay it forward. 

My dad had recently passed away and it was such a big blow to our family, having lost the best dad in the world. Seeing him die has forever left this indelible mark on me, and inasmuch as it can be very painful, I’m also happy for having it because he really was  the best father I could ever ask for.

So now, more than ever, I’m appreciating everything this life has been giving me – the good and the bad, all that makes me happy and causes me pain, and everything in between. There were many ways my life could have played out, but being adopted by my parents made me realize how my life is a gift and I should live and lead it as such. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – No notebook? 16-year-old student Erlande O. Monter from Lianga Comprehensive High School in Surigao del Sur still found a way to do his class work.

On November 18, teacher Arcilyn Azarcon shared a photo of Monter jotting down notes on a banana leaf. As of this posting, the photo has gotten more than 10,000 reactions and 5,500 shares. 

 “First time ko lang makakita ng bata na nagsusulat sa banana leaf. Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. Sobrang pursigido ni Erlande sa kanyang pag-aaral,” Azarcon told Rappler in a phone interview.

(It was my first time to see a student who is writing on a banana leaf. I couldn't believe it. Erlande is really determined in his studies.)

Filipinos online commended Monter for his dedication and perseverance despite the lack of resources. Since Rappler posted the viral photo on its social media pages, netizens have been asking how they can extend help to Monter and to students of Lianga Comprehensive High School.

banana leaf notebook - Curated tweets by rapplerdotcom

Some netizens even took a swipe at the government for spending P50 million for the SEA Games "kaldero" instead of providing supplies for public schools. (READ: ‘Kaldero ng Diyos’: Netizens shocked by P50-million SEA Games cauldron)

Meanwhile, some found the post inspiring and relevant given the current state of public education.

In May, concerned netizens did not hesitate to help 8-year-old Jan Kim Enario and his classmates at the Union Elementary School in Sta Rita when photos of Kim using an improvised pen went viral on social media. (READ: Donations pour in for Grade 2 student who uses makeshift pen)

The Department of Education sought Congress’ approval of its proposed budget of P551.72 billion for 2020 – the largest allocation among all agencies – amid increasing enrollment rates and low proficiency levels among students. (READ: DepEd wants P30-billion budget increase for 2020)

Although the DepEd will still enjoy the lion’s share of the budget next year – as mandated by the Constitution – DepEd failed to request enough funds for its yawning resource gaps. (READ: [ANALYSIS] Duterte’s perverse priorities in the proposed 2020 budget) 

How you can help

According to Azarcon, donations poured in when she posted the photo of Monter on social media. 

"To those who extended their help, maraming salamat po (thank you very much). Natulungan po nila si Erlande (They have helped Erlande). Sana po ay hindi sila magsawang tumulong (I hope they will not get tired of helping)," said Azarcon. 

For those who want to extend help, donations may be directed to teacher Arcilyn Balbin Azarcon of Lianga Comprehensive High School. You can contact her at 0948-575-6164. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Gender equality advocates from #RespetoNaman, a nationwide movement for women and LGBTQ+ empowerment, unveiled an upcoming 18-day campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) to mark its first anniversary.

This was announced by representatives from the Office of Vice President (OVP) Leni Robredo, SPARK! Philippines, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, and Empower on Thursday, November 21, at the residence of Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries.

The anniversary commemoration features an 18-day campaign to end violence against women through further education of Filipinos on gender-based violence issues at a time when President Rodrigo Duterte continued to make headlines because of his misogynistic remarks. (READ: From 'fragrant' Filipinas to shooting vaginas: Duterte's top 6 sexist remarks)

Some gender studies experts have attached a “social cost” to Duterte’s sexist and rape remarks, which they say reinforces toxic masculinity and negative attitudes toward women.

In its first year, the movement held women and LGBT-empowerment drives, such as the Don’t Tell Me How To Dress campaign, attempting to shed light on the issue of victim-blaming by displaying clothes of different rape victims; and the End Rainbow Violence, featuring sexual violence cases against LGBTQ+ persons. The campaigns were held in Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, and Dumaguete. 

Gender equality advocates will conduct forums in Metro Manila as part of its 18-day campaign. This time, they will shift toward topics such as building safe spaces in schools and the workplace, and laws governing gender-based violence.

It will also launch an online version of the Don’t Tell Me How To Dress exhibit, making the campaign accessible to all netizens.

Launched in November 2018, #RespetoNaman strives to shed light on gender-based violence from a humanized perspective, featuring victims' real-life stories of rape and sexual harassment.

18-day campaign to end violence against women

Inspired by global movements #MeToo and #TimesUp, and Thailand’s Don’t Tell Me How To Dress movement, #RespetoNaman, through its 18-day campaign, is entering its second year with more momentum to inspire change.

The upcoming campaign is inspired by an international campaign called 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which was first held in Rutgers University in 1991.

Vice President Leni Robredo will grace #RespetoNaman’s anniversary celebration and kick off the 18-day campaign against GBV at Robinsons Place, Naga City, on Monday, November 25.

Two weeks ago, a slew of administration officials hurled misogynistic broadsides at Robredo after she took the helm of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) as co-chair.

Robredo’s spokesman Barry Guiterrez said the tirades are steeped in double standards, seeking to insult not only Robredo, but Filipino women in general. (READ: Dela Rosa says Robredo should be at the 'forefront' of war vs drugs)

“If the Vice President of the Philippines, the second highest official in the land, can be subjected to that kind of condescension, targeted online and threatened with rape, then that gives you an idea of the size of the problem that we still need to confront, and the urgency of the steps that we still need to take today,” Guiterrez said at the #RespetoNaman campaign launch on Thursday, November 21.

Looking ahead

After the 18-day campaign, #RespetoNaman aims to go beyond awareness campaigns by building "stronger and more holistic” support mechanisms for survivors of gender-based violence.

“For the coming year, we’re gearing toward a more action-oriented approach, focusing on working with communities to create sustainable, and lasting solutions to end violence in the Philippines,” said SPARK! Executive Director Maica Teves

Teves said by working with local government units (LGUs), law schools, and civil society organizations, the campaign hopes to increase prevention efforts and reach rural areas and non-traditional cities.

For instance, #RespetoNaman aims to hold campaigns in remote LGU areas connected under Angat Buhay, the Vice President’s flagship anti-poverty program.

Teves added that women empowerment in the 21st century is no longer just about representation and activism.  Everyone is called "to go beyond lip service, and be more proactive in championing the cause of making our spaces not only safe for women, but conducive to their success.”

Here is a running list of #RespetoNaman’s 18-day campaign to end violence against women:

• #RespetoNaman Anniversary Celebration
• November 25, 6 pm - 9 pm at Robinsons Place, Naga City
• University Forum: Building Safe Spaces
• November 26, 9 am -12 pm at Naga College Foundation, Naga City
• Don’t Tell Me How To Dress Exhibit
• November 25 - 28 at Robinsons Place, Naga City
• November 28 - December 12, Naga College Foundation
• University Forum: Gender-Based Violence & Safe Spaces in Schools
• November 29, 3 pm - 5 pm at the Ateneo de Manila University
• School Forum: Building Safe Spaces in School
• December 9, 2 pm - 5 pm at Ateneo de Manila Senior High School, Quezon City
• Workplace Forum: Fostering a Safe Space in the Workplace
• December 10, 1 pm - 3 pm at THE WRKSPCE, Makati City
• Online Launch - Don’t Tell Me How To Dress
• December 12

– Rappler.com

Jaia Yap is a Rappler intern with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @jaiayap.

MANILA, Philippines – Just a week after helping two parents find their missing baby, Raffy Tulfo’s show made rounds yet again on social media – only this time, netizens are not happy.

In one of the latest episodes of “Raffy Tulfo in Action,” a grandmother and two parents went on the program to complain about a teacher who was allegedly maltreating their child.

CCTV footage showed teacher Melita Limjuco forcing the Grade 2 student to sit outside the classroom as punishment for not bringing his report card. The student, who sat outside for one whole period, eventually drew attention from passersby – parents and fellow students alike – which the grandmother said must have been humiliating for her grandson.

Asked what she wanted as a consequence for the teacher, Rosemil Edroso, the mother, said: “Ayaw ko namang ipakulong siya. Magpahinga na lang siya. Mawalan siya ng lisensiya (I don't want to send her to jail. She should rest instead, and have her license revoked).” The father agreed.

Tulfo then asked the teacher over a phone call, aired on the program, if she would rather have the issue brought to court, or agree to have her license revoked.

“Iyon na lang pong desisyon ng father at mother (I'll go with the father and mother's decision),” the teacher responded.

The end result did not sit well with netizens and sparked outrage on social media. #JusticeForTeachers and #Tulfo trended on Twitter Friday, November 22, drawing more attention to the issue.

Netizens lamented that the teacher was not given the due process that she rightfully deserved.

My God #Tulfo, pls filter the cases you’re trying to resolve. Oo nagkamali guro ang teacher but you’re not in the position to expose it in TV. You’re putting the tchr in shame. Not that I’m protecting my co-teacher but there are legal procedures to that case. Goodness.

— Ruffy Aznar Mapano, LPT (@roofroofyy) November 21, 2019

You worked all your life to get the license. Devoted and served the community for so many years with not-so-huge amount of salary compare to the everyday tons of paper works and the knowledge you need to mold with these kids. Tulfo the teacher deserves a fair judgement!#Tulfo

— (@yakamoyantanga) November 22, 2019

Some also pointed out that Tulfo’s program did not have the authority to address such conflicts and make decisions that have legal repercussions.

DEPED should make a right decision NOT TULFO !!! #JusticeforTeachers

— LuigiCabrera (@PWigi) November 22, 2019

Sorry Mr. #Tulfo but this episode has gone too far. https://t.co/lT1N3Q8bSH

You have no right to decide to remove the license of the teacher. DepEd should be the one investigating this and not you. Where's the part wherein you need to hear both sides than just listening to

— Jhayla Diaz - Bravo (@jladiaz) November 22, 2019

Doesn't the school have a clear policy on discipline or can they go to @DepEd_PH ? Why resort to the court of Tulfo brothers ? What a terrible justice system #RaffyTulfoInActionhttps://t.co/jCQjlNOi38

— Noemi L. Dado (@momblogger) November 21, 2019

I really don't get it. Why do they need to go that far? Asking TULFO for the justice? This issue can be settle through the conference of both parties with the school administrators. Where are you? HOY PAGMATA.

— jakesthetics (@JakesBarrios) November 22, 2019

Are we not supposed to confront an issue with the person/s involved? Are we not supposed to raise our concerns to the right authority? Do we get the justice we think we deserve by calling #Tulfo?#JusticeforTeachers

— Raqy MD (@raqymadelo) November 22, 2019

‘Tulfo justice’

Meanwhile, some criticized the program format itself, which, similar to Tulfo’s “Itimbre Mo Kay Tulfo” TV segment, aims to “air and act on complaints from ordinary citizens.”

I hope people would realize that there is no such thing as TULFO JUSTICE.

— Bonanafana Fonikki (@macronikki) November 22, 2019

Not-so-hot-take:

Tulfo's program is a return to Pagan times. Every episode is exploitative. Each one is a witch trial, and Tulfo is the one holding the torch. But what makes it doubly disgusting is that you all cheer when real people get burned.

People can be horrible.

— Armand (@armanddc) November 22, 2019

For me, yeah Tulfo is entertaining but it’s not the ‘Proper Judicial Process’

— Fin.e (@lostcyypher) November 22, 2019

I hope people realized that there is no such thing as #Tulfo justice. Dont act like you’re a judge!

— Patrick C. Dela Cruz (@patdelacruz73) November 22, 2019

I mean its time you guys rethink about Raffy Tulfo and his program. Just because he had helped a lot of people doesn’t mean he is always right. Very disappointed at how he judged the latest episode. Hugging all the teachers out there.

— Bree (@yobrenna) November 21, 2019

I hope people would realize that there is no such thing as TULFO JUSTICE.

— Bonanafana Fonikki (@macronikki) November 22, 2019

Netizens emphasized its inclination to “trial by publicity,” which they said only encourages mob mentality.

Trial by publicity and mob mentality is fine until someone is wrongly accused. In the case of Tulfo let's not forget that he isn't alone with this. He have his fans that put him in the pedestal and gave him his status as a paragon of a false justice system. Patronize n'yo pa.

— Ping Guerrero (@gabrant001) November 22, 2019

Trial by publicity is fine with you fans of @raffytulfo until someone is wrongly accused. Do not forget that you FANS gave him the power to enforce this so called "TULFO JUSTICE". He acts like a judge with no trial and due process of law. Patronize pa more!

— Christian Rodriguez(@nelsemacio) November 22, 2019

This time I will unfollow and unsubscribe Raffy Tulfo in Action because I find it so unfair for what he did to our coteacher, trial by publicity on national television without any due process! Very degrading! Teacher the noblest profession? Hmm#raffytulfoinactionbias

— KELZ, LPT(@itskelzcristuta) November 21, 2019

Tulfo is really suited for the mob mentality of this era. Doesn't matter if a teacher's job is jeopardized. Doesn't matter if someone ends her life because of being labelled a gold digger publicly. We get our kick of feeling morally superior to these people. And he gets money.

— Kip Oebanda (@kipoebanda) November 22, 2019

Meanwhile, netizens have rallied support for the teacher since the episode circulated online.

A lawyer also offered to help the teacher regarding the legal process. In his Facebook update on Friday night, November 22, lawyer Joseph Noel Estrada said that the parents and the teacher have already reconciled with the help of a Department of Education (DepEd) supervisor.

"Nagkaayos na po sila teacher at ang panig ng magulang sa tulong po ng DepEd supervisor. Sabi po ni teacher e, alang-alang sa bata, tinanggap niya na din ang sorry nila," he said.

(The teacher and the parents have sorted things out with the help of a DepEd supervisor. The teacher also said that for the sake of the child, she had accepted the parents' apology.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines– At a time when propaganda and disinformation are rampant on social media, are journalists solely responsible for upholding the truth?

During #MoveBacolod: Social Good in the Digital Age forum, journalists and student leaders in Bacolod City underscored how everyone plays a role in countering disinformation and keeping digital spaces safe.

Led by Rappler’s civic engagement arm MovePH in partnership with The Spectrum, more than 200 students and citizens attended the forum at Mutien Marie Auditorium A in University of St La Salle (USLS), Bacolod City, to learn about the importance of fact-checking.

In her welcome remarks during #MoveBacolod, USLS Dean for Student Affairs Dr Rowela Chiu emphasized the youth’s vital role in nation-building in a fast-paced generation.

“It is a responsibility of everyone to uphold the truth.... All citizens should be involved in nation-building,” she said.

During the panel discussion, Marchel Espina, Rappler correspondent and The Visayan Daily Star news reporter, highlighted that journalists especially must take great care in verifying and cross checking the information they receive both online and offline, and avoid blindly accepting the word of officials and people in authority.

“It's your job to find the truth. It's your job to find the communities and ask them what really happened…. It's not only because they are the army or they're in authority, what they say is true,” she said.

Negros Island has recently been thrust into the spotlight after simultaneous raids of government authorities in Negros Occidental led to the arrest of 57 individuals. A string of shooting incidents in the two Negros provinces grabbed headlines this year.

“We always have to exert extra effort to go the extra mile, to really see what's going on because if we just print what they said happened, we won't really know that it's true,” Espina said.

When committing mistakes, Espina said that just like officials, journalists and citizens  have to be accountable for what they post, say, and do. She shared that while journalists can listen to criticism to improve their reporting, trolls that only muddle conversations online should be documented or monitored to keep social media feeds clean.

“We don't want to be peddlers of disinformation and misinformation because the community relies on us,” Espina said.

“We take criticism very seriously. If there's a need to improve, we will improve because we want to be better in our reporting. If there are trolls, if there are threats, we document it. We don't mind the social media trolling; it comes with the job,” she added.

Meanwhile, The Spectrum editor in chief Hezron Pios pointed out that even campus publications aren’t spared from the swarm of online trolls or negative comments when it comes to the stories that they publish.

“It has happened a lot of times already that when we post something controversial, some comments were founded on hate, sarcasm, mockery, so we don't stoop down to their level. We don't respond to them because when we do, we become keyboard warriors.... You're dealing fire with fire,” he shared.

Pios added that while campus publications might be intimidated to pursue certain issues and topics due to the possible backlash and the online atmosphere created by trolls, this shouldn’t stop them from writing stories that matter to them.

“It's always a challenge to defend our function, our purpose as a campus publication because some critics might find our stories too controversial, too out-of-topic. Some of them even published or commented in our Facebook posts to just stay in our lane.... As journalists, you have to hold your line; you have to pursue the story,” he said.

Pios stressed that even publishing an erratum both in print and online when committing mistakes is one way that campus publications can be accountable for the content they produce, and do their part in avoiding misinformation.

Aside from journalists, average citizens and student leaders can also find ways to cut through the online noise and use social media for social good.

USLS Student Senate Chairperson of Issues and Advocacies Committee Vinz Nanas shared that the student government used social media as a platform to create awareness and to speak out.

After  Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson assured Negrosanon youth that Negros Occidental remains to be a coal-free province, the USLS student senate penned an open letter urging provincial leaders to remain steadfast to their commitment to protect the environment and allow the development of environment-friendly programs in the province.

Nanas shared how people can use social media to amplify issues and advocacies, especially when most Filipinos use these platforms.

“You can advocate or we can actually voice out in different aspects not only through rally but also in social media. You can make a big difference aside from digital activism. Actually, it could impact people because we are into social media,” Nanas said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Want to live a zero-waste lifestyle but don’t know where to start? 

According to a 2015 study on plastic waste, the Philippines is the third biggest source of plastics causing pollution in seas worldwide, behind China and Indonesia. Another study showed that plastic waste generated in coastal regions is most at risk of entering the oceans. (READ: INFOGRAPHIC: Plastic in our seas: Why you should care)

An audit by NGO GAIA in the Philippines has shown that the country uses a "shocking" amount of single-use plastic, including nearly 60 billion sachets a year. 

But there is a reason to hope. People and groups nationwide have started movements toward living a zero-waste lifestyle.

A zero-waste approach conserves natural resources and reduces pollution from the manufacturing and disposal of products. Fewer products are made, and made to last, so people consume less. (READ: How to start a Zero-Waste Lifestyle)

However, going zero-waste in the Philippines canbe a challenge for most people as there are no national laws in the country that incentivizes the practice and explicitly regulates or ban the use of plastics. (READ: The challenges of going zero waste in the Philippines)

Despite these challenges, people are taking part in the zero-waste movement, showing that the shift is not as intimidating as people would think. Filipinos showed that a zero-waste movement doesn’t only involve plastics but also other items such as clothes, electronics, and food waste. (READ: How an online community encourages Filipinos to try ‘buhay zero-waste’)

If you want to start a zero-waste lifestyle, advocates advise that you start by recycling and upcycling items that you currently have. 

Here are some places where you can drop off your unwanted items:

Ecobricks and plastic bottles

• Mise en Wash Manila - 2513 Arellano Avenue Malate, Manila, near Hotel Benilde

• Project Propel - Sta. Mesa close to V. Mapa LRT station

• Kapampangan Manalakaran - San Agustin Elementary School, Magalang, Pampanga

• UP Diliman

• Palma Hall Steps, 18 Roxas Ave.

• Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, Apacible St.

• UP ALCHEMEST Tambayan, 2nd Flr West Wing of Melchor Hall, Roces St. 

• Fortune Elementary School and Fortune High School - Brgy. Fortune, Marikina City)

• Barangay Fortune Material Recovery Facility (MRF) - Brgy. Fortune, Marikina City

• Le Cat Coffee Shop - Las Pinas City

• Katha Lifestyle Store - Cubao Expo, Quezon City

• Broadreach Foundation - Juana Art Cafe

• Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

• Pacita 1, Binan City

• The Circle Hostel - La Union

• Wrangler branches

• TriNoma

• Market! Market!

• Robinsons Place Manila

• Harbor Point Subic

• Urban Farming PH - 15th Ave. Brgy. East Rembo, Makati 

• Green Antz Builder

• Sunshine Mall Parking Lot, Arca South - 9 am to 12 pm every Saturday

• Salcedo Weekend Market - 8 am to 12 pm every Saturday

• Makati Street Market - 4 pm to 10 pm every 1st Sunday of the month

• Plastics by Manila Automat - Quezon City

E-waste

• Envirocycle company -  Daystar Industrial Park, Pulong Sta. Cruz, Sta. Rosa, Laguna 

• They also accept paper scraps and plastic bottles

• The E-waste project

• Decathlon - Tiendesitas, Ortigas Ave, cor C5 

• They also accept paper scraps and plastic bottles

• SM Supermalls 'Trash to Cash'
  

• All SM Supermalls except SM Cubao and SM Makati, 8 am to 2 pm, every first Friday and Saturday of the month

• They also accept plastic bottles, old books, and paper scraps

Clothes

• H&M - any Metro Manila branch

• get a 15% off voucher in return

• Uniqlo - any branch

• Must be in wearable condition

• Wear Forward

• Caritas Manila

• Citizen's disaster response center - 72-A Times St, West Triangle Homes, Quezon City 

• Precious Heritage Ministries Foundation 

• 1340 Manuel Hizon Street, Santa Cruz, Manila

• Road 11, Sta. Rosa St Purok 2, Penafrancia Hills, Cupang, Antipolo

• Christian Mission Service Philippines

• Children’s Village in San Roque, Naic, Cavite

• Pinagbuhatan Community Childcare at Esguerra St, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig 

• Calaca Community Childcare in Camastilisan, Calaca, Batangas 

• Sipocot Child and Youth Development Center in South Centro, Sipocot, Camarines Sur 

• I Support the Girls - Metro Manila

Cosmetics and accessories

• The Foundation Foundation

• Owndays - any branch

Old books

• Papemelroti - Roces Avenue, Quezon City

• Books for a cause

• BABUTS FARM - Baloy, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija 

• St Pio Printing Services - 44 Plaridel St, Barangay Dona Aurora, Galas, Quezon City 

• Art Circle Cafe - Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines – Diliman Campus, Magsaysay Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 

• B42 L12 Newtnorn Drive, Robinsons Homes-East, San Jose, Antipolo 

• Reading club 2000 - 1454 Balagtas St, Barangay La Paz, Makati 

• Love education

• The Book Stop project - Plaza Roma, Intramuros

• Edicute, Inc. - 78B Malumanay St, Teachers Village, Quezon City (Sundays only)

Paper bags

• Silent Beads

• MMG Medical Plaza, G/F Balmes Building, Diego Silang St, Barangay 5, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• National Nutrition Council, 2332 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Taguig City
• 401 Corporate Center Building, 948 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City
• Block 7 Lot 65 Phase 2 Springtown Villas,  Barangay Gaya Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan
• Virginia's Cafe, 544 Malagasang 1D Imus, Cavite
• The Pan Bakeshoppe, 38 Mayaman St, Diliman, Quezon City

Here are some places you can get reusable and plastic-free items for affordable prices:

Zero-waste stores

• Wala Usik - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

• Happy Earth Store - Lane 101, Masterson Avenue, Cagayan de Oro

• Croft Bulk Foods - Unit 6A, Paseo Uno Building, Ruby Street, Marfori Heights, Davao City

• Roots Katipunan - Unit 106, FBR Building, Katipunan Ave, Quezon City, 1108 Metro Manila

• Ritual - 2/F Languages Internationale Building, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City

• Humble Market - YDG Coffee, Mandala Park, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City

• Got Heart Shop 

• 69 Esteban Abada Street, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

• Lot 10 B-10 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City

• Girl and The Outdoors - UP Stop, Stall 5, Centennial Dormitory, E. Jacinto Street, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

Does your organization, corporation or local government unit have a zero-waste initiative? – Rappler.com

I remember going to this year’s Metro Manila Pride with an almost naïve sense of optimism. This year’s theme was “Resist Together,” with an emphasis on Pride being a protest, so the tibak (activist) in me couldn’t wait to wield the placard I made and see my activist peers. 

Turnout was good; the number of people doubled from last year, and I saw people calling for the end of endo (end of contract) and other social issues intersectional with LGBTQ+ rights. 

But I was yet again disappointed. These people were ignored by the other thousands that attended. Some even went so low as to criticize them on social media, saying their calls were inappropriate and required a venue separate from Pride. 

And that was when it hit me again why the queer rights movement here in the Philippines has remained stagnant (as exhibited by the slow progress of the bill supporting Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression or SOGIE): because people do not understand intersectionality. (READ: EXPLAINER: What you need to know about SOGIE)

Intersectionality as a concept dictates the many layers of oppression a person may experience, depending on their membership to a minority. For example, a queer Muslim woman may be oppressed because of her womanhood, her SOGIE, and her religion. 

In the Philippines, mainstream queer activism remains focused on the middle-class living in urban areas, neglecting those in rural areas and/or those who live in poverty. As activists, we tend to talk about SOGIE concepts only within our circles, inside the academe, using language and methodologies only educated people may understand. Thus, this neglects those in rural areas and urban poor areas, where most people have not had access to higher education. (READ: Life without bullies? Why Senate must support anti-discrimination bill) 

When we are asked to imagine a transwoman or a lesbian, we tend to think of a college student, or office peers, or someone we see on the streets of BGC or Cubao. We rarely picture a gay or trans farmer, or a lesbian indigenous person. We forget and sometimes ignore the fact that queer struggle is also a topic of class struggle, and that queer liberation cannot be fully fulfilled without an analysis of class struggle. (READ: [OPINION] It's not a cockfight between farmers and queers)

Perhaps the reason why we fail as queer activists is because most of us haven’t had the opportunity to know what it’s like to be a landless farmer, or a fisherman living in poverty, or a worker not receiving fair wages and working conditions, or an indigenous person driven away from their ancestral land, and so on. We are so focused on our own experiences as queer people that we forget those extra vicious layers of oppression our other queer siblings experience. We fail to understand that discrimination for us means something else for another. (READ: Growing up Tboli and gay) 

Pride shouldn’t be reduced to a mere Instagram event, social gathering, or opportunity to find your next partner. It shouldn’t just be for us living in urban areas, who have the privilege of proper information access and support. Pride should be for those who cannot attend it. 

I pray every year that all attendees of Metro Manila Pride see the true essence of Pride amid all of the extravagance and bright colors – that while we enjoy the festivities, other queer Filipinxs are abused, bullied, and killed because we fail to recognize them and invite them to our group. 

I hope that we can, as advocates, finally understand intersectionality and bring the conversation and the advocacy closer to people, so that it may no longer be self-serving, but rather serve its purpose of making the country a better place for all queer Filipinxs. – Rappler.com

Lean Miguel Novero, 21, is a queer activist and feminist from Bulacan. He works closely with farmers and indigenous peoples as a development worker and volunteer for PUP Kasarianlan, a LGBTQ+ student organization in his alma mater the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

The third millennium began in the United States with medical marijuana legally sold in 33 states and the District of Columbia, the country’s power center. It was 1999 – two decades since Washington DC waged a simultaneous war with communists and “mind-bending” drugs derived from the natural world, like the marijuana shrub and its sister hemp. Demonizing cannabis eventually led to the death penalty for mere possession.

But America’s worldwide war against marijuana, coca, opium, and mescaline ironically revived far older indigenous medical traditions in the American continent and beyond. The government itself stirred the pot of powerful sacred drugs, including tobacco, as part of ancient religious practice, converting many young people to the old American Indian ways of communicating with invisible reality. In many cases, such communication strengthened the peacemaking of conscientious objectors in a country forever at war.    

By 1999, wonder of wonders, small producers and sales outlets for cannabis sativa oil, cannabidiol, were growing by leaps and bounds. The war against marijuana was going the opposite direction from its origins. State ignorance about the real nature of this “enemy” was revealing itself.

Historical forces tilted back in those two decades that led to the third millennium. Many countries that criminalized cannabis sativa under US influence gradually decriminalized it. Simple possession became a non-criminal offense similar to a minor traffic violation.   

Tracking the legality of cannabis sativa in these countries and subnational jurisdictions in those years is like peering into a fast transforming mind map of cultures and subcultures. Instead of all-out prohibition we see limited prohibition in many countries like Spain and the Netherlands, where the sale of cannabis is now allowed in licensed establishments. 

Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jamaica,Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, and Thailand all legalized medical marijuana. Countries with more restrictive laws allowed the use of certain cannabis-derived pharmaceutical drugs. The District of Columbia legalized medical cannabis but kept it prohibited at the federal level even for medical use. 

This checkered policy is doubtless rooted in cannabis’ euphoric effect, clumsily described as “recreational.” Marijuana’s gravitas gradually emerged as it was next reported to kill cancer cells, help epileptics recover from seizures, maintain steady blood pressure, and fight a number of neurological ills, mostly in older people. Science also found a way to remove the “euphoria factor” from medical marijuana.

Criminalizing instead of studying and regulating cannabis sativa’s benefits has been a negative reflex all along. It has allowed crime syndicates to make millions with protection rackets and blackmail from the drug trade worldwide. Successive headline scandals like the Philippine police in cahoots with drug lords making millions on the manufactured drug metamphetamine aka shabu is only one more example of this evil template. (READ: Best practices: How other countries dealt with drug problems)

On the other hand

Possible blessings to human health and added years to life with medical marijuana parallel a possible economic boon if government policy and public opinion on marijuana were reversed. Today the costs of the government’s war against its production and sale in the Philippines are a dramatic gauge of possible benefits-become-a-curse, thanks to ignorance, prejudice and greed.

In contrast, a recent marijuana industry report by Grand View Research, Incorporated in the United States says: “Growing adoption of cannabis as a pharmaceutical product for treating severe medical conditions, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and other neurological conditions is anticipated to drive forthcoming years…. Increasing need for pain management therapies and growing disease burden of chronic pain among elders is also expected to boost demand.” 

Talk of big money. “The US legal cannabis market valued at USD 11.9 billion in 2018 is expected to grow 24.1% from 2019 to 2025. The global legal marijuana market size is expected to reach USD 66.3 billion by the end of 2025…. It is anticipated to expand at 23.9% during the forecast period,” Grand View Research speculates. 

Grand View also projects increasing legalization and use of marijuana in medical as well as “recreational” applications with everyone going at their own pace. Stringent regulations for cultivation and sale may limit overall growth for the global market in Europe, but “promising markets for cannabis” are seen in Australia, the UK, Germany, Poland, Colombia, Uruguay, and Israel. 

Thailand is creating its legal structure for cannabis, and will soon allow its citizens to grow cannabis at home to sell to the government. Countries like South Africa and New Zealand are discussing legalization and may emerge as viable markets for medicinal marijuana in the forthcoming years, Grand View adds.

As for the Philippines, clandestine marijuana harvests worth millions of pesos have been burned every year for the past 4 decades – or so the police and media would have the public believe. But the suspicion is always there that some of it was burned for publicity while the rest of a perfectly good marijuana harvest went to line law enforcers’ pockets instead.  

Significant indeed is the Philippine congressional majority passing a bill on the legalization of medical marijuana on third and final reading last January 2019 – 6 months before the US House of Representatives passed its own marijuana legalization bill in July 2019. 

Isabela representative Rodito Albano, author of House Bill 6517, offers hope in its stated purpose and very name: “The Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act that seeks to provide compassionate right of access to medical cannabis and expanding research into its medicinal properties." 

Albano observes that medical marijuana has been used to alleviate pain in people suffering from cancer or seizures, and to bring back the appetite of people suffering from HIV/AIDS. These are the people he wishes to help. "It's expensive – about a thousand dollars. It's not affordable. It's not accessible. That's why we're making this law.  It would allow the government to grow and research marijuana's medicinal properties under very strict regulations.” 

Not for a minute has the congressman forgotten marijuana’s history in the Philippines. “Recreational use, growing, or possession of the marijuana plant would still be banned under the proposed measure,” he says.

The next step will be for the Senate to pass its own version of the bill and for the two chambers to meet in a bicameral conference committee to ratify the legislation. 

The rest of the world is moving on with the challenge of cannabis sativa. Now is a good time for Filipinos to finally arrive at a sound collective understanding of marijuana as a gift from the plant world. (READ: Why the Catholic Church OKs marijuana for the terminally ill)  

Doctors on both sides of the Pacific have opposed medical cannabis, saying its efficacy has yet to be confirmed.  This is true in some cases, just as it is false in some cases with epileptics and cancer patients healed. In short, there is enough evidence on both sides to take our time on this. 

To add to marijuana’s surprises, the roguish President Duterte, whatever his reason, has expressed support for this bill in the midst of his war against illegal drugs. – Rappler.com

Sylvia L. Mayuga is a veteran feature writer and columnist in Manila, with 3 National Book Awards to her name.

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu kicked off on Saturday, November 23, National HIV Testing Day, dubbed as Know Your Status (KYS) and Play (#KYSandPlay2019), with free, fast, and confidential HIV testing and community activities.

Cebu province is among the provinces with consistently high rates of HIV infection. Cebu recorded 69 cases of HIV infection during the month of May alone, and a total of 333 infections from January to May 2019. 

The following sites will hold free screenings until 7 pm:

Love Yourself White House
40 J Llorente Street 
Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City

Atma Prema Community Center
Jasper Apartments, 
M-5 Orchid Street, El Dorado Subdivision 
Barangay Banilad, Cebu City

Whatever KTV
The Outlets at Pueblo Verde
Lapu-Lapu City

Barangay Poblacion Park 
Barangay Poblacion, Talisay City

Sunflower KTV, Park Mall 
Ouano Avenue
Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City

Tara! Let's make your weekend extra more special.

Give time and love to yourself by visiting us on the following KYS and Play sites. It's FREE, PRIVATE, and CONFIDENTIAL.#LoveYourselfCebu#AlterCebu#CebuAlter#LoveYourselfWhiteHousepic.twitter.com/vYi7YeYVVP

— LoveYourself Cebu (@LoveYourselfCEB) November 23, 2019

The province continues to see an increase in reported HIV infections. In 2016, health advocates in Cebu raised the HIV epidemic as a campaign issue. (READ: Cebu to presidential bets: What will you do about HIV epidemic?)

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11166 or the HIV/AIDs policy act, to address the epedemic, in December 2018. (READ: Duterte signs law strengthening HIV, AIDS health services)

The law orders the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a program to provide free and accessible treatment and medication to all persons living with HIV and AIDS. Public and private hospitals are to become treatment hubs. 

It also allows minors between 15 and 17 to get tested without parental consent. 

But community advocates in the region pushed for more Filipinos to get tested because of the rise in the number of infections.

DOH data gathered January and May showed that the most common mode of transmission of HIV in the Central Visayas was male-to-male sexual intercourse with 192 cases; followed by men who have sex with men and women with 92 cases, then male-to-female sex with 54 cases; and transmission through infected syringes with 50 cases reported.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology was also concerned over the rising HIVs rates in jails in the Central Visayas, mainly due to needle sharing. (READ: HIV an emerging concern in Central Visayas jails – BJMP)

#KYSandPlay2019 is led by LoveYourself, Incorporated and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), in partnership with several community-based organizations (CBOs) across the country that provide HIV-related services to promote HIV advocacies and sustainable reproductive and sexual health practices.

This nationwide event is also supported by Pilipinas Shell Foundation Incorporated, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Love Yourself also provides counseling and health consultations for clients who may need it. 

For those unable to make it for testing on Saturday, Love Yourself Inc. and Vicente Sotto Memoral Medical Center, both in Cebu City, provide free testing yearound.  – Rappler.com

John Tan Sitchon is a Rappler intern from the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City

MANILA, Philippines – After 10 years, various media and local groups on Saturday, November 23, continued to call for justice for the families of the victims killed in the gruesome Ampatuan massacre.

The massacre, where 58 people were killed, 32 from the media, was the worst case of election-related violence in the Philippines and the single deadliest attack against Filipino journalists. 

The victims were on their way to the filing of the certificate of candidacy for Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu that morning of November 23, 2009. Mangudadatu was set to run for Maguindanao governor against Andal Ampatuan Jr, son of the sitting governor at the time, Andal Ampatuan Sr. (READ: Children bear the brunt 10 years since Ampatuan massacre)

Justice delayed is justice denied

Ten years since it happened, the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines reiterated how justice remains elusive for the victims. 

“The families of those slain in the massacre still await justice—many suspects are still at large and those detained have manipulated the justice system to repeatedly delay the judicial process,” CEGP said in a statement. 

The group also pointed out the failure of the past two administrations – Gloria Arroyo and Noynoy Aquino – to use its resources and influence to convict the Ampatuans.

This was echoed by the people’s rights group Karapatan as regimes seem to have set aside the cry of the victims’ families. 

“Years have already passed and the children of the victims are now grown-ups. What took the government so long to convict the perpetrators of the deadly attack on defenseless civilians?” Karapatan Vice Chairperson Reylan Vergara said in a press release. 

Andal Jr and his brother Zaldy, who are in jail, are the principal accused, along with their other brother Sajid Ampatuan, who is out on bail. Sajid is now mayor of Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao.

Andal Sr, the alleged mastermind of the massacre, died in July 2015.

The families of the victims, on the other hand,  have yet to find a resolution of the case. A verdict is set to be handed down on or before December 20. ([WATCH] Trial of the decade: Highlights of Ampatuan massacre case) 

Worsened through time

Just like his two successors, media groups stressed that the Duterte government also failed to bring justice for the victims in this first 3 years as President. 

Instead, according to a Karapatan official, the ”‘climate of impunity has worsened through Duterte’s all-out war on critics, including journalists.” 

For the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter, the Ampatuan massacre leaves a mark in the country’s history. Without justice, the families of the victims and the media community will continue to live with an open and unhealed wound. 

“As such, the remembrance of the bloody massacre is a reminder how journalists and media workers are easy targets and victims of impunity. Hence we continue to fight, as we stand together with other issues surrounding our workplaces, from labor, harrassments, death threats, and red-tagging issues” NUJP Cagayan de Oro Chapter said in a statement.  

Despite the gruesome massacre in 2009, press freedom is still under attack.  There are over 100 recorded attacks vs journalists since Duterte assumed office. Moreover, the Philippines was dubbed as the deadliest peacetime country for journalists in Southeast Asia. 

Altermidya- People’s Alternative Media Network, in its statement, commended the victims’ families, their lawyers, witnesses, and supporters have stood their ground amidst the threats. 

“Anything less is unacceptable and would unleash a storm of wrath, not just from the victims’ families and loved ones, but from the greater public, including the media community here and abroad," Altermidya said in a press release. 

"An attack on one of us is an attack on us all. Justice for 32 of us is justice for us all,” it added as it called for the immediate conviction of the principal suspects, brothers Andal Jr., Zaldy and Sajid Ampatuan. 

The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) said that although the conviction of the perpetrators and the full recompense of the victims’ families will be a first step in reversing the injustices, the government still has to do much more to banish the political barbarism that endagers such attacks. 

“Not one more day of delay can be justified,” it said in a statement. 

It also stressed that the impunity that killed the 58 victims underscored political abuse and government failures that remains to be relevant until today. 

“We call on officials at the highest level to take effective steps to stop all forms of attacks and intimidation against journalists. They should fulfill their core constitutional duty to protect fundamental freedoms,” FOCAP added.  

Moreover, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and South East Asia Journalist Unions (SEAJU) is set to launch Holding the Line: South East Asia Media Freedom Report 2019 on Saturday, November 23 to mark the 10ht anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre. 

The report details the issues and challenges that imperil press freedom in the region. – Rappler.com 

Political persecution and killings of activists and human rights defenders have been consistently at the top of the government's agenda since Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016. To date, more than 2,000 human rights defenders have already been attacked through various forms including threat, intimidation, harassment, trumped-up charges, and extrajudicial killing. The massive crackdown against activists has transformed the Philippines into one of the most notorious countries for civil society.

War against dissent

The administration has been successful in orchestrating a systematic and organized campaign against dissenters and members of the opposition. The purest form of the strategy, which populists like Duterte use to stifle dissent, is the process that we call "othering" – a process of social exclusion, separating the "us" from "them." To put it simply, the government made it a norm to exclude individuals or groups who are against the state's policies and direction as "enemies" of change, and as a response, the government must get rid of them.

Drug dependents who have fallen prey to the war on drugs are victims of the process. The public has been conditioned to believe that those who are engaged in drug activities, especially those who engage in small-scale drug transactions, are irreformable. Any attempt to rehabilitate them would mean wasted state resources.

The same process is being used against dissenters and activists through red-tagging or branding them as communists. Only recently, offices of national democratic organizations were raided and their members were arrested.

Activism is a right

The right to association and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights. The mere exercise of these rights is essential in a democracy where varying opinions and political inclinations must exist. The substantial and relevant participation of civil society actors are encouraged in many successful democracies, and ultimately, a flourishing democracy is necessary for a country's development.

It is the duty of the state to protect the civic space where people can just go and express their support or contrary opinion on issues that affect them. If the citizens see the mass transport crisis as an issue, let them speak out. If the nurses feel that they are underpaid, let them speak out. If innocent lives are being threatened, let the activists speak out.

Role of judiciary in a democracy

In the midst of this erosion of basic liberties and attack on human rights, we expect that the last bastion of democracy – the courts – could step in and shield our most cherished rights and check the excesses of power. Sadly, they were not spared from the impunity brought by this war. At least 43 judges, lawyers, and prosecutors have been killed under Duterte's regime. Many point that the motivation behind their killing is related to the exercise of their duty. These grim murders are not just attacks on individuals; they are a direct attack on the very system of justice in the country itself.

Courts and their workers comprise the third branch of government. Said to be the weakest of the 3 branches, the judiciary's main source of legitimacy is found not in elections, but in the fairness and reasonableness of its written decisions. Courts do not have an army or police force, but they can strike down a law. This ability to function as an independent judiciary, however, is now being undermined relentlessly. Attacks on judges and lawyers send a chilling effect throughout the judiciary that masked men can take the law into their own hands and escape with brazen impunity.

With this dangerous situation, judges could not be expected to write their decisions free from fear and intimidation and lawyers have to turn away the poor whose cases threaten the privileged position of the powerful. This further feeds the marginalization of the many who need the law, but at the same time, strengthen the privilege of the few who could not be touched by the law. 

The rule of law crumbles under the weight of this imbalance. With an intimidated court, our nation's arbiter retreats. And with it comes the creeping distrust from the people who need the law. This distrust is dangerous as it diminishes the people's options for peaceful resolution of conflict. Vigilantism breeds in a sea of distrust and dysfunction of a legal system. And like a vicious cycle, it feeds more violence and more distrust and ultimately eats our democracy from within.

By going after the human rights defenders who are working directly with the masses and judges who are upholding the rule of law, Duterte is committing one big mistake. If he thinks that activists will be silenced, he is wrong. If he thinks that killing activists will paralyze the movement, he is wrong. The human rights community exists for a reason and it will not cease to exist – even if tyrants like him become powerless. – Rappler.com

Christian Gultia is a student of MA Philippine Studies at the University of the Philippines Asian Center. He is the chairperson of Youth for Human Rights and Democracy-Philippines.

Ernesto Neri is a human rights lawyer and educator. He handles pro bono cases for laborers, children, and victims of the drug war.

CEBU, Philippines – There is a new daycare center in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, that is not just for children. The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) opened the doors of its “Bahay Bulilit” Daycare Center on Wedsnesday, November 27. 

The daycare center – which helps provide child care for low income families of the barangay –will be managed and staffed by the City Social Welfare Department and can take care of up to 60 children, divided between morning and afternoon sessions.

The second floor will have a skills training center for parents.

“We are excited for this Bahay Bulilit in Barangay Pajo as it is the first of its kind that will benefit not just children but their parents through the livelihood skills trainings,” RMHC Vice President Margot B. Torres said in a statement.

This is RMHC 3rd children’s center in Cebu and the first in Lapu-Lapu City. 

Torres said this is the first Bahay Bulilit out of 34 across the country with a second floor for skills training for adults.

The center's main purpose, however, is to provide children a safe space to play and learn, while their parents – who might not be able to afford private childcare or private centers – are at work. 

Child trafficking has been problematic in the cities of Lapu-Lapu City and nearby Cordova, but staff members say this facility is provides enough security for the children because it is within the compound of the barangay hall.

Maripet Gerarman, the program head of the new center, said that children are enrolled for up to 120 days in the program, at least for now.  

“After that 120 days were hoping that the center would receive funding so we can continue accomodating more children at the center,” she told Rappler in Cebuano.

The center accepts children between the ages of 3 and 4 for enrollment.

The facility is stocked with at least 30 books in both English and Filipino.

While the facilities are brand new, Gerarman said that they still need support from the public to continue its services. 

“This is an ideal center for daycare workers. But we’re hoping we can procure more school supplies because their parents are spending for it for now,” she said.

“If the public would like to help the center, we could use toy donations, children’s books in English, mother tongue, or Filipino, for storytelling time and other educational materials.” 

Those who wish to donate can contact Bahay Bulilit behind Pajo’s Barangay Hall. – Rappler.com

This is the fourth time that the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) will be held in the Philippines. The last time was in 2005, where we won overall – the first and last time the Philippines won the most medals in any SEA Games. 

Who decides on the host country? The SEA Games is under the regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), as well as the supervision of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia. Hosting duties are rotated among the SEAFG-member countries. The assignment to host happens years before the games, so the assigned host country can accept or decline it.

Brunei was supposed to host the games this year, but it declined. They admitted they didn't have enough sports facilities and accommodations, and that their athletes were not prepared enough – which is not surprising because Brunei is one of the least performing countries in the SEA Games (next to East Timor and Cambodia), and only hosted the games once in 1999. (READ: Too hot to handle)

So, the Philippines agreed to step in to host this year, under the management of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee or PHISGOC.

Should we have stepped in? Did we really have the capacity to host the SEA Games? 

Before I give my unsolicited opinion on this, please know that I am in no way connected to a political party/agenda and in no way getting paid for this. I am just an ordinary Filipino citizen who happens to be a former junior national athlete.

First off, the approved budget allocation for the 2019 SEA Games is P7.5 billion pesos in estimate – P6 billion from the Philippine government and the remaining amount from PHISGOC.

Sure, hosting sports events are often seen as a potential source of economic regeneration since it increases tourism, but it is also proven to bring economic burdens on a country, especially because of the infrastructure demands. 

I personally find the decision to be impractical. That P7.5 billion – setting assumptions of corruption aside – could have been spent on the more important developmental needs of the country. Or in the sporting context – again, setting assumptions of corruption aside – that P7.5 billion can already offer a lot of Filipino athletes and even coaches opportunities for international training and competition exposure. (READ: Filipina Olympians support athletes' maternity leave bill)

Why host a sporting event which is predominantly won by two countries (Thailand and Indonesia) if we can invest in the foundational and developmental aspects of athletes – with the goal of winning competitions in the international arena and thus giving Filipino athletes more opportunities for international college scholarships and higher athletic salaries? (READ: How PH fared in last 5 SEA Games)

It may be a matter of weighing the costs and benefits of hosting the SEA Games versus the costs and benefits of bringing Filipino athletes to international trainings and competitions. However, if the only goal for hosting this event is for Philippine sports to look good based on the number of medals won, then I think that it is not about weighing costs and benefits but really about changing that dead-end goal. (READ: FAST FACTS: Philippines in the SEA Games)

To maximize the value of sports as an enabler of sustainable development, we do not need to establish our country’s reputation as a premier sports destination; what we need is to develop, sustain, and highlight more Filipino sports heroes on the international and professional level.

Is the 2019 SEA Games fiasco ‘too much’ or ‘much desired’? 

I am sure you have heard and read about the SEA Games blunders – athlete grievances, the kikiam breakfast, the unfinished game venues, hideous conference venues, athletes sleeping on the floor, inefficient airport pick-up coordination, the ridiculous logo and mascot, Lea Salonga backing out, the P50-million cauldron, the alleged slashing of funds, the foreign press reporting our hosting mess, the logistical blunders likened to the failed Fyre Festival, and inefficient media accreditation. True or fake, with or without paid political propaganda, they were just all over the place!

The reported fiascos opened doors for the proliferation of hateful and extreme speech, and may have overshadowed good intentions, efforts, and preparations. I personally think that the intrigues and disasters – given that there is high reluctance to fact-check social media posts today and high chances of clickbait to exploit our curiosity to gain attention – really got people hooked! This can be both good (the event is being talked about) and bad (the Philippines’ reputation as a host country is being bashed). (READ: The devil's in the details: 10 logistical blunders at SEA Games 2019)

Let’s give the attention to whom it is due – the athletes

But even with all the chaos and mishaps, I think that public attention should now shift from who is to blame to who is competing: the athletes who trained, prepared, and sacrificed a lot of things (along with their coaches and teams) to represent their countries well. (READ: Prioritize athletes so they don't get pirated, LGUs told)

Representing your country is no joke, especially if you are playing in your home country, so I personally think that instead of clicking/reading/sharing news about how horrible the management of this year’s SEA Games is, we should click/learn/share more about the game updates, status of medal tallies, who the players are, how they prepared, and their game schedules, so we can all know and be more supportive of them.

In this world of clickbait, greed, and online hate, let’s be a little kinder.

Let’s continue to pray and cheer for the athletes and delegates of the 30th Southeast Asian Games! – Rappler.com

Trudy Gine Amoranto is a former member of the  Philippine National Junior Lawn Tennis Team. She competed in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Juniors Division and also played for the De La Salle University lawn tennis team.  She is currently a Masters in Communication student at the University of the Philippines. 

MANILA, Philippines – Long after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit Tacloban City in 2013, hoaxes about disasters and calamities easily spread among residents as they continued to deal with the trauma brought by the catastrophic cyclone.

This is what panelists shared during the #MoveTacloban: Social Good in the Digital Age forum, as journalists, student leaders, and local government officials emphasized the need to fight misinformation during disaster-related events. 

Led by Rappler’s civic engagement arm, MovePH, in partnership with UP Vista and UP Tacloban Student Council, #MoveTacloban tackled the dangers of disinformation and misinformation in a forum attended by 192 students and citizens at the University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College 3rd floor library on Wednesday, November 27.

Tacloban City Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin said that locals are especially vulnerable to hoaxes involving disasters due to what they experienced from Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Yolanda is considered by weather experts as perhaps one of the world's most powerful typhoons in the past century. (READ: Most powerful 2013 storm hits PH)

Six years after the super typhoon killed thousands and devastated communities in Eastern Visayas, survivors said they are still mourning.

UP Vista Junior Staffer Justine Cuento added that these hoaxes, which usually crop up when a disaster strikes the area, tend to be easily believed by locals since they're afraid of encountering the same traumatic experience from the super typhoon.

“I think people became scared of what's going to happen to them, so they are taking very extreme precautionary measures just to avoid the Yolanda situation (from happening) again,” Cuento said.

Panic 

Despite preparing for imminent disasters, they shared some Taclobanons are vulnerable to hoaxes and false information due to trauma they experienced from the super typhoon.

Among the hoaxes that came in the wake of Yolanda was a video about how the typhoon was created by "microwave pulses," It is mentioned that weather can be manipulated, which is false as there are still no methods that can be effectively used for willful control of weather that is accepted by mainstream science. (READ: Did 'microwave pulses' create Yolanda (Haiyan)?)

Six years after Super Typhoon Yolanda, hoaxes still hound Tacloban City during disasters. Just recently, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck parts of the Visayas at 1:37 pm on Tuesday, April 23. This prompted evacuations among citizens of Samar, Tacloban City, Leyte, Bacolod City, Iloilo, and Cebu. 

Rappler correspondent Jazmin Bonifacio shared that following the earthquake, several locals were stricken with fear after they heard somebody scream about a tsunami alert, despite an announcement from Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) that was no tsunami threat present in the area. This hoax quickly spread like wildfire within the community, triggering unnecessary fear among the locals. (WATCH: 'Fake news' and the dilemma it has created)

“After nung lumindol, may sumigaw sa Wharf na may tsunami alert at nagtakbuhan ang mga tao. Ganoon siya kafast na naspread 'yung information. May sumigaw lang,” Bonifacio recalled her experience during the earthquake.

(After the earthquake, there was a person who shouted that there was a tsunami alert, so people started running. That’s how fast misinformation is spread during disasters. It all started with shouting.)

Especially with trauma caused by Yolanda, panelists said residents tended to be vulnerable to panic-inciting hoaxes like this, especially if they did not have quick access to their phones and laptops for verification. (READ: Equating storm surge to tsunami 'dangerous' – expert)

“Nawitness ko 'yung mga taong nagtatakbuhan and they were bringing all their belongings. May private vehicle na may megaphone and sinasabi na ‘umatras 'yung tubig sa dagat and there will be a tsunami coming.’ At ako naman, wala akong source of information dahil wala akong internet sa phone ko, I panicked,” Aquino said.

(I witnessed people running and bringing all their belongings. There was a private vehicle with a megaphone, saying that a tsunami is coming for us. I don’t have any information about it because I didn’t have any internet on my phone so I panicked.)

UP Tacloban Student Council president Nikko Aquino stressed that given the situation, there should be more accessible disaster risk information on storm surges and tsunamis to make the community more knowledgeable about what to do and spot during these situations. 

What should we do?

Bonifacio highlighted the need to verify information with government agencies involved and properly disseminate them to the public to avoid disaster-related misinformation and unnecessary panic.

“Information is an aid. Nakakatulong siya but if hindi natin mabigay 'yung correct information sa public, puwede siya maging danger to the public,” Bonifacio said.

(Information is an aid for people. It is helpful but if we don’t give the correct information, it is dangerous to the public.)

Cuento pointed out that citizens need to be vigilant by being critical on issues happening within the community, and make the choice to fact check when in doubt.

“One of the pillars of UP Vista is that we should stand for the truth and stand for the people because people deserve the truth,” she said.

For Vice Mayor Yaokasin, locals need to be more courageous by telling the truth, especially in times where hoaxes can easily spread within their community due to what they've experienced. 

“Do not be afraid to tell the truth. Do not be surprised when people are mad at you for telling the truth —those people are living a lie. Truth and transparency are important so that we can progress,” Yaokasin said. – Rappler.com

This opinion piece was written for the global women’s rights in crisis campaign #IMatter to commemorate International Women Human Rights Defenders Day. The launch will kick start an amazing drive to build and strengthen an intersectional movement that works with women and girls in crisis and post crisis contexts, recognizing the universality of the struggle’s women experience. Details here.

Women across the world are risking their lives each day to build peace and defend their lands, communities, and freedoms. In 2018, 321 defenders in 27 countries, 38 of whom are women, were targeted and killed for their work – the highest number ever on record – according to data collected by Front Line Defenders. Even this barely hints at the ocean of abuse and discrimination that women defenders and peace builders are forced to overcome each day. How the patriarchy that underpins the worst excesses of our extractive and unequal economic system reacts to being challenged. 

These women need our solidarity. They are asking for it. It matters. In Colombia, I’ve met leaders of the Wayuu Women’s Force in La Guajira whose defenders have to carry mobiles for “protection alarm” and wear bullet-proof vests. They are followed, filmed, trolled, abused, intimidated, imprisoned, assaulted; where the constant typical threats – “Your daughters look pretty; shut up or something will happen to them” – is a deadly serious one. (READ: Not just a joke: The social cost of Duterte's rape remarks)

The backlash is worse now than ever. It is deliberate and systematic. Women defenders are often the first to be targeted. They face different and added threats than the men who support them, like smear campaigns and sexual assaults. They can face disrepute even within their own societies for not conforming to stereotypes. They are made more vulnerable where they lack organizational support.

Poverty has a female face. Women shoulder almost all of the unpaid care work and are hit worst when decent public services are hard to access. In many countries, women have fewer rights to land and safe jobs. They are left behind when men leave to fight or flee conscription. Women’s groups struggle with donors preferring to fund projects rather than salaries and running costs.

Women and girls tend to organize themselves from Day One of a crisis or conflict, mobilizing help within their communities and resolving matters. They are the ones who keep their families together and recover their societies. That’s why Oxfam is giving priority to local women’s groups when we forge our humanitarian partnerships. (READ: Robredo: Respect for women, gender equality begin at home)

However, despite the fact that its widely accepted that women and girls play a vital, often defining role in defending human rights and building peace, they have been frozen out of official peace negotiations for years. When women are able to participate meaningfully, these deals are 35% more likely to be successful and durable. In October 2000, UN member states committed to uphold the rights of women during war and peace. There have been some improvements but there is still no formal mechanism to hold states to account. 

Women activists are not victims without political agency. They are resourceful, independent, assertive, brave and successful. (READ: Leticia Ramos-Shahani: The woman who competed with the best)

In Sudan, for example, women helped to lead the protests that brought down the old regime and the country has just appointed a woman, Neemat Abdullah, as chief justice – a first for the Arab world. Ethiopia has a new female president. In Lebanon and Iraq, women are demanding change and that they are recognized now as equals to men in the future governance of their country. Sweden and Canada now have an explicitly feminist foreign policy.

In the Philippines, women continue to be at the forefront of supporting the peace process in Mindanao and the transition towards what is now the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. Women peace advocates consolidated a Bangsamoro Women’s Agenda, developed through community consultation, which includes women’s participation in the newly-established Bangsamoro Transition Authority, creating inroads towards the creation of a women’s political party, and women leaders running for office in 2022. (READ: Who are the women in the Bangsamoro peace process?)

Elsewhere the picture is bleaker. There is violence and impunity when women are isolated. It thrives when we accept harmful social norms as “just the way it goes,” when women are marginalized from the decisions that affect them.

We can do more. Humankind has inexhaustible supplies of empathy – it is free, affirming, and effective in ways many of us who are not on the frontlines cannot imagine. Women leaders tell us that international solidarity can shine a light on their struggles and is better than a bullet-proof vest. We must stand beside and behind these women in their tireless pursuit of peace and equality, because they matter. – Rappler.com

José María Vera is the interim Executive Director of Oxfam International. Oxfam is a confederation of 19 organizations working with thousands of partners, allies, and communities in more than 90 countries to save and protect lives in emergencies, help people rebuild their livelihoods, and campaign for genuine and lasting change.

The Philippines is undergoing a continuous crisis, brought about by decades of foreign exploitation and centuries of class entrenchment. Semi-colonialism and semi-feudalism have resulted in a political economy that concentrates economic development in an increasingly small section of the population, while a large majority remain agricultural and left behind. Political power ends up resting on the laurels of the wealthy few, while the rest are left to deal with the constant fear of death.

As an agricultural country, the Philippines has utterly failed to sustain itself. As of August 2019, our import-dependent, export-oriented economy took in $8.66 billion worth of finished goods and equipment while exporting $6.25 billion worth of raw materials we could have processed ourselves into the very things we need.

As of November 2019, we have become the world’s top importer of rice; a true irony for a nation where 75% of the population live in the countryside as farmers. (READ: [ANALYSIS] Duterte's ban on rice imports: Enough of these capricious policies)

All of this feeds back into a system that actively supports the status quo. In this current state, the largest landlords and businessmen earn back from imports and hoarding land, while the poorest farmers only reap debt from trying to live day-to-day. 

Any form of critique or resistance against the status quo is met with extreme prejudice – illegal arrests, crackdowns, or outright murder. Less than a year into Oplan Kapanatagan and the number of political prisoners grows larger by the day. In 3 years, Rodrigo Duterte has managed almost 30,000 extrajudicial killings, including 240 farmers, students, activists, government officials, members of the church, unionists, and so on – but no drug pushers. (READ: [OPINION] The irony of National Students Day)

In this current situation, we must ask ourselves: what does it mean to celebrate Andres Bonifacio? Bonifacio similarly found himself in a society plagued by crisis. Spanish colonialism was sucking the country’s natural resources dry, while feudalism entrenched a foreign elite and created institutions which kept them in place.

Bonifacio’s Philippines, in a way, isn’t too different from ours. It was an agricultural country built on the backs of farmers who didn’t own their land. It was highly dependent on foreign imports for its finished goods while its raw materials were sent off to distant markets. Any attempt to dissent was met with extreme prejudice – Rizal was exiled to Dapitan for writing two satirical novels and pushing for reforms.

Bonifacio sought a way out of the current state of affairs. Not through reform, as Rizal had tried, but through revolution. And revolution is the apt word: at its core, revolutions are radical changes. Bonifacio did not simply wish to rebel. When he clamored for the distribution of friar land along with the need to remove the Spaniards from the country, he had started a prairie fire. Bonifacio and the Katipunan wanted a new society, Katagalugan, free from foreign influence and friar control.

Remember Andres Bonifacio by recalling his legacy in Philippine independence is simply not enough. Celebrating Bonifacio isn’t just remembering that he existed, it is contextualizing his deeds in our modern context. Bonifacio’s true legacy was that he showed us what needs to be done. (READ: A family tree: Where are Andres Bonifacio's descendants?)

There is a crisis in Philippine society, similar to the old crisis that birthed the likes of Bonifacio. In the fight for national democracy, we must never forget Bonifacio’s most important lesson: that the only recourse is through struggle.

Even when the Philippine Revolution petered out and transitioned to American colonialism, the revolutionary spirit of the masses continued the struggle Bonifacio began in Balintawak. From the first unions and cries of “Death to Imperialism!” all the way to the calls for genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization, the Filipino people have continued the battle for genuine democracy in any way possible.

The past 50 years have intensified the struggle, armed or otherwise, and have only proven what Bonifacio already knew. No concessions could be made, no victories could be gained, if not taken by the people.

It is up to us, as Filipino people, to uphold the revolutionary tradition of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan. Not through pithy proclamations of “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” and pseudo-nationalism that fades just as quickly as it goes, but through a constant, unwavering stance for what is true and just. Any call for “unity” and “cooperation” in lieu of criticism is the result of apathy to the reality of Philippine society.

We are not here to “celebrate” Andres Bonifacio. We are here to continue his revolution. We must assess our Philippines – stunted by foreign imperialism, native feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism, and pledge a covenant as the Katipunan did in 1896 to struggle for its freedom. We have said our words. (READ: Andres Bonifacio: Myths, trivia, execution)

Now is the time for action. – Rappler.com

Justin Umali is a writer and an activist from Laguna. He is a regular contributor for Esquire Philippines, and currently President of Kabataan Partylist Laguna.

It’s been a week since I had the pleasure of speaking at the opening plenary at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 – a global gathering to mobilize the political will and financial commitments we urgently need to fully implement the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, which was established 25 years ago to empower women and girls worldwide. I was part of a delegation of 24 other bold individuals born in 1994 called 25x25 brought together by SheDecides – a global political movement that works to create a world where every girl and woman can decide on what to do with her body, life, and future. (READ: Want to tackle economic inequality? Start by meeting women's RH needs - UN)

Throughout the year building up to the conference, I and the other 25x25 young leaders embarked on journeys in our native countries to share, learn, and inspire action towards creating a world where she decides. 

My own journey lasted 6 weeks and spanned Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao representing 10 regions, 17 provinces, and 75 cities and municipalities. I consulted with hundreds of 13 to 35 year olds from across the Philippines to establish a national picture on the state of sexual health services and needs in the country. (READ: Ang tunay na lalaki: Men should fight for reproductive health too)

The results were eye-opening and highlight the need for urgent collective action. Twenty percent of those surveyed identified the need for access to family planning and healthcare services and information as the top priority, while 14% of all participants considered the need for education regarding human sexuality, reproductive health, and responsible parenthood as an issue that needs to be addressed urgently – we have a long way to go. My findings were a sad indictment of the current state of sexual reproductive health in the Philippines, where not all rural health units have complete basic health care services and personnel, and comprehensive sexuality education is not yet fully implemented. (READ: WATCH: The risks Filipino women face)

Throughout this process I have been privileged enough to engage with some incredible and brave individuals, both in the Philippines and among my fellow 25x25 young leaders. I came across some truly eye-opening stories, including a young girl who became a mother at the age of 9 and bore her second child at the age of 10, and a young person living with HIV who needs to travel for 4 hours to get antiretroviral drugs. (READ: Youth advocates on reproductive health rights)

These stories are not far from those collected by my 24 fellow young leaders. Across the globe, rigid and regressive social norms put people at a disadvantage, harmful traditional practices persist, and there are still high rates of sexual and gender-based violence. Thus, collectively, we aspire for a world where the periphery becomes the core, data collection and management systems are strengthened, resources are abundantly available, and all are underpinned by progressive leadership, attitudes, practice, and norms.

We’re now focusing on how to sustain the momentum created by the 25x25 worldwide. Aside from the unifying efforts made by the network around the world, we’re well on our way to creating strong local impact in each of the 25 countries involved. From a personal perspective, I will continue to engage with the United Nations as the Chairperson of the UN Youth Advisory Board in the Philippines and will revisit the youth advocates, stakeholders, and communities I previously engaged with to discuss potential solutions to the issues uncovered in my consultation to ensure that no one is left behind. 

It was my honor to deliver my findings at the ICPD25 and I hope they spark a light and catalyze the action we, in the Philippines and globally, so desperately need to deliver: to create a world where everyone, including young people, women, men, LGBTQI+, persons with disability, indigenous people and so on, can decide for themselves. – Rappler.com

Neil Lomibao is a SheDecides 25x25 young leader and Chairperson of the UN Youth Advisory Board Philipppines.

MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of students and advocates called on governments and multinational companies to take urgent action in tackling the climate crisis in “Parada ng mga Parol: Pailaw para sa Kalikasan (Parade of Lanterns: Lighting ceremony for the environment)" at Plaza Miranda, Manila, on Friday, November 29.  

The event was part of a worldwide strike called for by international climate activist Greta Thunberg in line with the COP25 climate conference in Spain scheduled to happen on December 2 to 13, where world leaders will discuss their next steps on the climate crisis. (READ: From the streets to the summit: Young climate leaders mobilize at UN)

Led by Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), strikers called on the Philippine government and leaders from developed nations to secure the future of the youth and heed the plight of communities impacted by environmental destruction due to climate change. 

“We refuse to inherit a dying planet and a sunken country. We are demanding climate justice,” said YACAP lead convenor Mitzi Tan. 

A recent United Nations report on climate change concluded that developing nations such as the Philippines, despite their minimal carbon footprints, will bear the brunt of global heating. (READ: Climate change creating 'new poor' in PH) 

“We are fed up with the willful ignorance of multinational companies and world leaders of countries that are contributing the most to environmental degradation and the climate crisis,” Tan said.

Civil society organizations and indigenous peoples groups have joined the strike, taking to the street a common message of justice for climate-impacted communities.

For Jeany Rose Hayahay, a 22-year-old Lumad volunteer teacher from Mindanao, the issue of climate justice runs deep in their dispossession of ancestral lands at the hands of mining and agricultural companies. (INFOGRAPHIC: Who are the Lumad?)

“Ang lupa ay buhay ng aming mga katutubo (Our land is the life of our indigenous people),” said Hayahay, her figure lit by lanterns held by her students from Salugpungan school. 

As part of the mobilization, a lantern contest was held in which various schools and youth groups displayed lanterns crafted from recycled materials, each sporting calls to raise awareness about the current climate crisis. 

“Ang pinakasumisira sa kalikasan ay 'yung mga tao na gustong magpayaman at magpayaman. Ang kapalit ay ang aming kabuhayan, kultura, tradisyon, at nakaugalian,” Hayahay said.

(Greedy people destroy nature the most, at the expense of our livelihood, culture, tradition, and way of life.)

Allied organizations in attendance, such as Greenpeace Philippines, stressed that the Philippines is already in a climate emergency, and that countries and corporations most responsible for the crisis should not be allowed to continue business-as-usual with impunity.

“Today’s youth are relentless in their efforts to demand solutions to the climate crisis,” said Greenpeace Philippines’ Marian Ledesma. 

"They are not just fighting for themselves, but for everyone," she added. 

Below are some photos from the event: 

– Rappler.com 

Jaia Yap is a Rappler intern with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @jaiayap. 

MANILA, Philippines – How would the Father of Philippine Revolution react to all that’s happening in the Philippines in 2019?

Filipinos marked Saturday, November 30, the 156th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, a hero known for his unwavering love for country, for his bravery, and for his being a true leader of the masses. (READ: Andres Bonifacio: Myths, trivia, execution)

In commemoration of Bonifacio Day, netizens reimagined the Bonifacio brand of patriotism – in the 2019 setting. 

The #BeBonifacio hashtag particularly showed the Filipino youth’s hot take on the current administration, embodying the revolutionary Bonifacio, and on the issues hounding the country – all in wit and in clever millennial language.

So how would his tweets read if Bonifacio had a Twitter account in 2019? Check out the responses here:

Got some witty #BeBonifacio entries? Share them in the comments! – Rappler.com